"I have less now than formerly, my dear Marianne," he said, giving to this airy remark the turn of a compliment.
Marianne shrugged her shoulders and smiled.
"Do you find me very much altered?" she asked abruptly.
"Yes, rejuvenated."
"I don't believe a word of it."
"Upon my honor. You look like a communicant."
"Good heavens! what kind?" said Marianne, laughing in a clear, ringing, but slightly convulsive tone.
He was still looking at her curiously, seated thus near the fireplace.
The bright and sparkling fire cast its reflections on the gold frames in waving and rosy tints that brightened the somewhat pale complexion of this young woman and imparted a warm tone to her small and brilliant gray eyes. She half turned her fair face toward him, her retroussé nose was tiny, spirituelle and mobile, her large sensuous mouth was provoking and seductive, and suggested by its upturned corners, encouragement or a challenge.
She had allowed her cloak, whose fur trimming was well-worn, to slip from her shoulders, exposing her form to the waist; she trembled slightly in her tight-fitting dress, and golden tints played on her bare neck, which was almost hidden under the waves of her copper-colored hair.